This article is part of the “Lines of Kagga – Life of Dravid” series.

ಒರ್ವನೇ ನಿಲುವೆ ನೀನುತ್ಕಟಕ್ಷಣಗಳಲಿ ।
ಧರ್ಮಸಂಕಟಗಳಲಿ, ಜೀವಸಮರದಲಿ ॥
ನಿರ್ವಾಣದೀಕ್ಷೆಯಲಿ, ನಿರ್ಯಾಣಘಟ್ಟದಲಿ ।
ನಿರ್ಮಿತ್ರನಿರಲು ಕಲಿ – ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ॥ ೬೮೯ ॥

Summary:

In your life, there may be some crucial moments where you will be left all alone to face a situation. It can either be while you are fighting for something better in your life or when you are to make some important decisions or sometimes you may be even put in do-or-die situation where you cannot rely on anyone. It is at this moment that you have to be strong enough to take a stand, without being influenced by any of the external factors.

Writing on the Wall:

After the BCCI obtained permission for the Indian team to play against Pakistan in 2004, they ask Rahul Dravid to lead the team. In the first match at Multan, Virender Sehwag scores 309 runs (one of his best innings). Similarly, Sachin gives his best on the first two days scoring more than a century. During Lunch time, Dravid, being the captain, strategies that the team should give its best in the second half (with Sachin and Yuvraj as batsmen) and declare the match while there is still 15 overs left as that would lead the Indian team to get some early wickets from the opponents. With 16 overs yet to be played for the day, Yuvraj was dismissed and Sachin would have scored 194. This would be a crucial moment for Rahul Dravid to decide whether to continue the innings and let his close friend, Sachin to score 200 or to declare the match. At this instant, he does not get influenced by any other external factors and chooses to declare the match, thereby letting the opponent team start their innings. This would result in being the best decision as the Indian team wins the match.